The average technology user can’t afford their own physical data center or server, so cloud computing brings on-demand IT resources to consumers, instead. In the cloud, businesses and individuals can access pay-as-you-go services that would otherwise be out of reach, picking and choosing what will offer them the most benefits.
Cloud computing seems simple enough, but it’s a broad industry. As it grows, more businesses and organizations are seeking team members with training in the cloud. Whether you just want to understand how cloud computing works, improve on your current IT skills, or embark on a career in the field, our list of 10 free online courses in cloud computing is here to help.
We’ve put together this list using Online Course Report’s exclusive methodology, which helps us determine the top free courses that offer the most benefits to students. It’s listed in descending order, with our favorite picks at the top. However, all of these online courses are worth considering if you want to learn more about cloud computing.
Featured Programs
- Cloud Computing Specialization
- Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies
- From Data to Insights with Google Cloud Platform Specialization
- Cloud Computing Security
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
Following the review, we’ll answer some questions about cloud computing and why it might make sense to learn more about this exciting industry. And we’ll talk more about how free online classes work and what you can expect. If you’re ready to get started, read on.
Ranking 10 Free Online Courses in Cloud Computing
1. Google Cloud Training
Offered by Google
If you’re searching for a free platform to learn GCP, Google Cloud Training is a no-brainer. Their free-tier option offers hands-on training at no cost, and it comes with a bonus—a $300 credit to spend on GCP products within 90 days. You’ll need to sign up using a credit card to verify that you’re not a robot, but your card won’t be charged unless you choose to upgrade manually.
There are nine learning paths on Google Cloud Training, plus you’ll have the opportunity to earn exclusive digital Google Cloud skill badges. The classes are self-paced and can be completed anytime.
Students can also take advantage of Cloud OnBoard, a free online training program for IT professionals and developers to expand their cloud computing skills. The program features hands-on labs, games, quizzes, and lessons taught by expert instructors. You won’t leave empty-handed, either, as you will earn an e-certificate for your participation.
With so many learning resources available at no cost, it’s easy to see why Google Cloud Training is our top pick for free courses in cloud computing with certification.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: Varies
Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Learn while doing
• Plenty of classes to select from
• Free $300 credit to GCP
Cons:
• None
2. Amazon Web Services
Offered by Amazon
AWS is Amazon’s popular and comprehensive on-demand cloud computing platform. It’s used by startups, leading enterprises, and government agencies, and has millions of customers around the globe. It claims to have more features than any other cloud provider in the world, so if AWS interests you, there will be plenty to learn.
There are over 100 free short courses on the AWS training platform, so we can’t list them all. However, here’s a glance at just a few of them:
• AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
• Moving to Managed Databases on AWS
• Twitch Series: AWS Power Hour Machine Learning
• Getting Started with .NET on AWS
• Introduction to Blockchain
• Simple Storage Service – Basics (AWS Support)
• Amazon Honeycode Essentials
Also included in the free AWS digital training is AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials. This course can help you get ready to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Varies
Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Excellent user experience
• Easy to find exactly what you’re looking for
• Build knowledge of over 70 AWS services and solutions.
Cons:
• Students can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices
3. A Cloud Guru
Offered by acloudguru.com
A cloud Guru offers some of the best online courses in cloud computing we’ve found, and their exceptional interface makes learning a pleasure. There’s not much left out — Azure, Linux, AWS, and GCP are all covered in detail.
For beginners, it makes sense to sign up for A Cloud Guru’s free monthly plan. You’ll have access to a limited selection of rotating courses and the opportunity to engage with a community of fellow students and experts. After you register, you’ll be taken to a dashboard, which lists the current offerings at the free level. While they are subject to change, you can expect courses like:
• Introduction to Cloud Computing
• Introduction to AWS
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 2020
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C02
If you decide to take your skills further, you can choose from several paid learning paths as well, all of which offer unlimited access to the site’s resources for a moderate price.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Varies
Curriculum: Introductory to Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Smooth and easy-to-navigate interface
• Excellent community forum
• Lots of free resources
Cons:
• Some of the courses require a monthly or yearly subscription.
4. Cloud Computing Specialization
Offered by University of Illinois via Coursera
If you’re looking for a more in-depth introduction to cloud computing course certification, and you already have a basic understanding of computer systems and common programming languages, this specialization is for you. It is eight months long and is taught by five professors from UILL’s Department of Computer Science. There are six courses in the specialization:
• Cloud Computing Concepts, Part 1
• Cloud Computing Concepts: Part 2
• Cloud Computing Applications, Part 1: Cloud Systems and Infrastructure
• Cloud Computing Applications, Part 2: Big Data and Applications in the Cloud
• Cloud Networking
• Cloud Computing Project
If you want to obtain credit toward a degree program or you need certification, you will need to pay for the specialization. However, you can audit each of the courses (with the exception of the project module) at no cost. If you need credit or certification and you can’t afford it, you can also apply for financial aid through the platform.
The specialization covers a wealth of material, and completing it will help students develop skills in:
• Software-Defined Networking
• Distributed Computing
• Big Data
• Cloud Computing
• Distributed Algorithm
• C++
• NoSQL
• Cloud Infrastructure
• Cloud Applications
• Cloud Storage
• Graphs
• Machine Learning
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: Eight months
Curriculum: Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• College level coursework
• Thorough coverage of cloud computing
• Go at your own pace
Cons:
• May be too challenging for some students
5. Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies
Offered by The Linux Foundation via edX
For students who are new to the cloud and don’t know where to start, this free online course from Linux can’t be beat. Linux instructors will guide you step-by-step over ten to fourteen weeks as you learn how to navigate the cloud. This is one of the best free online courses in cloud computing you can take, since you will be gaining knowledge on building and managing cloud technologies from one of the world’s leaders in open source.
You don’t need to have any prior experience with the cloud to be successful at this course, because you will pick up all the basics of cloud computing during the lessons. You will also learn the characteristics of the different cloud technologies and how to choose the best technology stack for your needs.
Students who want a proof of completion can add a verified certificate for an additional $199, but this is optional.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: 14 weeks
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Taught by the experts at Linux
• Extremely thorough coverage of the topic
• Taken by over 88,000 students
Cons:
• Some confusion about whether the course is hosted on Linux or on the edX platform
6. From Data to Insights with Google Cloud Platform Specialization
Offered by Google Cloud via Coursera
GCP also offers individual courses as specializations on the Coursera platform, where students can take advantage of the learning giant’s exceptionally user-friendly interface. This specialization consists of four courses:
• Exploring and Preparing your Data with BigQuery
• Creating New BigQuery Datasets and Visualizing Insights
• Achieving Advanced Insights with BigQuery
• Applying Machine Learning to your Data with GCP
The paid version of this specialization includes a hands-on project in Quicklab, whereas the free audit version of the courses do not. Auditing means you can view all of the course lessons and materials at no charge, but you can’t participate in graded components of a class or receive certification. Nevertheless, the free version still offers plenty of opportunities for learning.
While anyone can enroll, the specialization is designed for data analysts, business analysts, business intelligence professionals and cloud data engineers. It is suggested that students have some proficiency with ANSI SQL before signing up.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Two months
Curriculum: Intermediate to advanced
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Great for professionals who want to level up their skills
• Subtitled in six languages
• Highly rated by former students
Cons:
• Free version does not include hands-on lab project
7. Introduction to Cloud Computing
Offered by IBM via edX
If you’re looking for a basic overview of cloud computing, this free course from IBM might be for you. By dedicating an hour or two a week, it can be completed in six weeks. If you’re new to the cloud, want to understand the jargon, or are considering a career in cloud computing, this is the place to start.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
• Characteristics and benefits of cloud computing
• All about the primary cloud service providers—AWS, GCP, IBM, Alibaba, and Microsoft Azure
• The three main service and deployment models
• Cloud infrastructure components
• Emerging trends in cloud computing
• Cloud security, encryption, and monitoring
• Professions in cloud computing and the skills you need to land a career in the field
While you can take the course at no charge, students who would like an optional verified certificate can pay a fee of $49.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: Six weeks
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Taught by an AI and Data Science Program Director from IBM
• Part of two professional certificates
• Begin anytime
Cons:
• Verified certificate is an additional fee
8. Cloud Computing Security
Offered by University of Maryland via edX
In this eight-week course taught by instructors from the University of Maryland, you will learn how to identify security issues in the cloud and standard procedures and techniques used to mitigate and prevent those risks. It’s part of the Cloud Computing MicroMasters program and is led by the instructors on a set schedule. This means that unlike most of the offerings on our list, you will need to enroll in advance. The course covers:
• Identifying security issues within the cloud infrastructure
• How to implement cloud features to secure and harden the infrastructure
• How to analyze system logs using tools that detect potential security and performance problems
• Standard documents on cloud security, plus case studies
• Understand how security policies fit in with the overall security strategy of an organization
Certification is not a requirement, and the course can be taken at no charge. However, if you decide you would like to make it official, you can add a verified certificate for $299.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes, with a fee
Time to Complete: Eight weeks
Curriculum: Intermediate
User Experience: Excellent
Quality of Instruction: Excellent
Pros:
• Class is taught live, with the opportunity to interact with the instructors
• The full MicroMasters program may count as credit toward a degree at University of Maryland
• Students may be eligible for up to $600 AWS credits for completing the entire program
Cons:
• Classes are scheduled, so you need to plan in advance
9. Alibaba Cloud Academy
Offered by Alibaba
Alibaba Cloud is a fast-growing Chinese cloud computing firm run by Alibaba. Also known as Aliyun, it provides cloud computing services to its own ecommerce ecosystem as well as to online businesses and is on par with well-known services like Microsoft Azure and AWS. Those who want to specialize in Alibaba Cloud would do well to check out the companies own training platform, Alibaba Cloud Academy.
The e-learning platform offers over 100 short video lessons at no cost, where students can learn about everything from how to migrate and back up data to using simple application servers to deploy a WordPress site.
For learners who want to earn certifications in the technology, there are also some super-cheap courses to help students prepare. For example, the eight lesson ACA/ACP Cloud Computing Exam Preparation Course is just .99 cents at the time of this writing.
Cost: Free
Certificate: No
Time to Complete: Varies
Curriculum: Introductory to Advanced
User Experience: Good
Quality of Instruction: Good
Pros:
• Over 100 short courses in Alibaba Cloud
• Students at partner academic institutions can access some paid services for free
• Available in seven languages
Cons:
• Certificate preparation is not free, but courses start at just .99 cents
10. Cloud Computing from Scratch for Beginners
Offered by Eduonix Learning Solutions
Eduonix is a training platform designed for those who wants to learn a new skill but don’t want to attend four years of college to do so. The site offers a variety of paid and free options. You can find everything from a highly rated Ethical Hacking Course to a four-hour Developer Bootcamp for just $7 here. But there are also over 144 free short courses to select from as well. Cloud Computing from Scratch for Beginners is one of them.
The course is two and a half hours long and consists of nine lectures. It begins with an introduction to concepts like SAAS, PAAS and IAAS, and you will also see how Linux is changing the Infrastructure landscape across the world. The next unit covers Redhat open shift, AWS, and Google Compute Engine. Finally, you will gain a holistic understanding of cloud computing by delving into virtualization technologies.
Not only is this top-rated online cloud computing course free, but students will also earn a certificate of completion for their successful participation. You do not need any prior knowledge of cloud computing to take part in the class, and you can start at any time.
Cost: Free
Certificate: Yes
Time to Complete: Two and a half hours
Curriculum: Introductory
User Experience: Good
Quality of Instruction: Good
Pros:
• On demand video that you can pause when you need
• Good overview of the topic
• Received good ratings from former students
Cons:
• Speaker is mechanical and sometimes dry
Why Should I Take Free Online Cloud Computing Courses?
Currently, there are over 17,000 unfilled positions listed on Indeed for workers skilled in cloud computing. The demand is enormous and only expected to grow. Furthermore, these are high-paying jobs. We’ll get into more specifics about careers and salaries in a moment, but cloud engineers in the US can expect to make around $133,000 per year on average.
Since the cloud is here to stay, so are those who have proven themselves competent and capable of working with cloud technologies. It’s unlikely that these positions will be influenced by a volatile market or economic uncertainty.
As the field continues to grow, more industries will need to fill their ranks with employees who are skilled in cloud computing. Those who are currently working in IT, for example, are encouraged to learn all they can about the cloud, as your organization will likely hire cloud employees from within, if possible. Having better skills almost always means a better paycheck.
Are There Different Types of Cloud Computing?
Yes, there are three primary types of cloud computing, with each type providing different levels of flexibility and control:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS provides the highest level of management control and flexibility over a firm’s IT resources and is similar to the kids of IT resources already existing within most organizations. IaaS provides data storage space, access to networking features, and computers—either virtual machines or those on dedicated hardware. Examples of IaaS include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
With PaaS, users can focus solely on the management and deployment of applications rather than overseeing the hardware and operating systems or infrastructure. It’s efficient, since there is no need for software maintenance, patching, resource procurement, or other tasks involved in running applications. Examples of PaaS include Google Compute Engine (GCE), Digital Ocean, and Rackspace.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS gives users the complete product, with no need to think about maintenance, infrastructure, or management. Typically, SaaS refers to end-user applications where the customer only needs to learn to use the software itself. Examples of SaaS include HubSpot, Slack, BigCommerce, and Zendesk.
What Skills Should I Have to Take Free Cloud Computing Courses?
Strictly speaking, there are no prerequisites for taking free online courses. All you need is your computer, an internet connection, and an interest in learning. But you’ll probably find it challenging without a few basic IT skills. It’s also helpful to know the fundamental concepts of networking, operating systems, and visualization technologies.
One common misconception is that students who want to learn cloud computing need to have extensive coding skills. Although knowing how to code is great, a lack of coding skills won’t prevent you from learning about cloud computing.
What Kinds of Jobs Can I Get in Cloud Computing?
According to Northeastern University, there are many different positions available in cloud computing, but the highest paying and most in-demand career choices include:
| Cloud Software Engineer | Average Salary: $111,064 |
| Database Administrator | Average Salary: $92,714 |
| System Engineer | Average Salary: $85,000 |
| Security Administrator | Average Salary: $79,285 |
Do I Need a Bachelor’s Degree to Get Into Cloud Computing?
While a four-year degree in computer science can help you if you want to pursue a career in cloud computing, it’s not necessary to break into the field. If you already have strong technology skills, you may want to focus on certifications instead.
For example, those who obtain the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification can expect some of the highest salaries in IT—roughly $175,000 a year. And those with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification are looking at annual earnings of around $131,000.
Specialization is vital, however, and experts recommend that those who are interested in getting into the field acquire experience and skills in one of the major cloud service providers.
How Long Do Free Online Courses in Cloud Computing Take?
The time for completing each of the courses on our list is usually up to the student, as typically, learning schedules are flexible. If you want to complete a course sooner than the suggested duration, you can certainly put in more time. Whereas, if you are feeling pressured to complete a course by a particular date, you can probably stretch it out longer to fit it into your schedule more comfortably.
Are All of the Courses Really Free? It Looks Like There Is a Fee Involved.
All of the courses on our list have been chosen because they can be taken at no cost. In some cases, additional components of a course may be hidden behind a paywall, or there may be a free trial that users can take advantage of. Still, there should be enough time to complete the course before the trial is up to avoid paying a fee.
Are Free Online Courses in Cloud Computing Worth It?
Absolutely! There is a strong need for qualified cloud computing experts, as more companies than ever before are using some form of cloud computing. Learning this valuable skill is bound to pay off, but even if you don’t end up using your newfound knowledge in your career, it’s always helpful to know how things work in the field of cloud technology.
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